Malicious Code Injection in unknown_mouse-smiletea Package
Summary
MAL-2025-110153: Malicious code in unknown_mouse-smiletea (npm). Affected versions are not published. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
The unknown_mouse-smiletea package is part of the npm ecosystem and is associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign. This package is designed to facilitate the automatic generation and publication of derivative packages, which can inflate developer reputation scores for token rewards. However, it has been identified as containing malicious code that compromises the integrity of the npm registry.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability stems from the package's malicious payload, which modifies the package.json file to remove private flags, alters version numbers, and generates random package names. This behavior leads to the continuous republishing of variants, polluting the npm registry and potentially affecting other developers by inflating reputation scores fraudulently. The origin of this vulnerability is linked to the broader issue of malicious packages flooding the npm ecosystem, specifically targeting the tea protocol token rewards.
How To Fix
This package is malicious. Remove it and rotate any credentials it could have accessed.
npm uninstall unknown_mouse-smileteaIf it arrived as a transitive dependency, remove the package that pulled it in, then reinstall.
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Workaround
As a temporary measure, you can avoid using the unknown_mouse-smiletea package and monitor your project for any dependencies that may inadvertently include it. Additionally, consider using tools like Vulert to check for vulnerabilities in your package-lock.json file.
Conclusion
The unknown_mouse-smiletea package poses a significant risk due to its malicious code that alters project files and pollutes the npm registry. It is crucial for developers to remove this package and monitor their projects for vulnerabilities to maintain the integrity of their applications.
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FAQ
It is an npm package associated with the tea.xyz token reward campaign, designed to generate and publish derivative packages.
The malicious code modifies your package.json file and can lead to the pollution of the npm registry, affecting your project's integrity.
You should uninstall the unknown_mouse-smiletea package immediately using npm uninstall unknown_mouse-smiletea.
Yes, you can use Vulert to monitor your project in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities by analyzing your package-lock.json file.
Yes, you can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check for vulnerabilities without needing to sign up.
